Student Program
The Canadian Nuclear Association would like to give students an all-expenses paid opportunity to attend our 2026 Conference and Trade Show.
What is the Student Program?
Are you ready to ignite your future in the nuclear sector? The CNA Student Participation Program selects about 100 dedicated students from Canadian post-secondary institutions to attend the CNA Conference and Trade Show each year.
This opportunity goes beyond just attending an event; it’s about building connections with industry professionals, exploring innovations, and discovering diverse career paths. Engage with leaders in the field and gain valuable insights into the future of clean and reliable energy.
The CNA and its members are committed to empowering the next generation of bright minds to tackle global energy challenges. If you’re motivated to make a difference, this is your chance to participate and contribute to a sustainable future!
Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence
This year, CNA is proud to introduce the Frank Saunders Memorial Awards for Nuclear Excellence. Sponsored by Bruce Power and the Nuclear Innovation Institute, these prestigious awards will be presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions in the field. Each of the top five essays addressing the designated essay prompt will receive a one-time cash award of $1,000.
Learn more about Frank Saunders’ work and legacy here.
Eligibility
Am I eligible to apply?
If you are at least 18 years old, currently residing in Canada, and are a registered student at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of the event. In that case, you are eligible to submit your application.
What does the Student Program cover?
The Student Program covers grants for transportation (train, plane, bus, taxi, kilometres, or other) and accommodation at the most economical rates. No other travel expenses are eligible.
Application
When will the CNA begin accepting applications?
Applications will open on December 22, 2025.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
How do I apply?
On December 22, 2025, the CNA team will post four essay prompts on the CNA2025 website – Student Program page. Students must choose one (1) essay prompt and can submit their response through a video submission OR a written essay.
What are the prompts to choose from?
The four essay prompts will be available on December 22, 2025. Students are required to select only ONE (1) prompt for their application.
How do I submit my application?
The application form will also be accessible starting December 22, 2025. Applicants should complete the form and upload their video submission or written essay at the end of the application. Please ensure that you have read and understood the submission guidelines before applying.
The application form will also require some personal and academic information, so please have these details ready when you start your application.
Besides my written or video essay, what else do I need to submit with my application?
In addition to filling out your application form, you must also submit and upload the following materials:
- A photo of your school ID showing your name and the name of your academic institution
- A copy of your Letter of Enrollment (also known as a Certificate of Enrollment or Verification of Enrollment) from your academic institution to confirm your eligibility to attend. This letter must clearly state that you are currently enrolled in the Winter term of 2026. Please note that your school may limit your attendance if you are not a student in good standing or for other reasons they consider necessary.
We will not accept any applications that do not meet all of the following requirements.
How do I obtain my Letter of Enrollment?
To obtain proof of enrollment from your university, you usually need to access the student portal or contact the Registrar’s office to request an official Letter of Enrollment. The specific process may differ by institution.
I have submitted my application. What are the next steps?
After submitting your application, you will receive an email confirming your submission. Please refrain from submitting your application more than once.
I did not receive an email confirming my submission. What should I do?
Please wait a few hours and check your inbox or junk mail folder.
Submission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines for Written Essay
- Prompt Selection: You must choose only one (1) prompt for your written essay and state which prompt you are using at the beginning of your essay. This will be included in the total word count.
- Submission Format: You can submit your written essay in PDF or Microsoft Word.
- Word Count Requirement: Written essays must be between 300 and 500 words long. Submissions that do not meet this requirement will incur point deductions.
- Entry Limit: Only one entry is permitted per person.
- Original Work Requirement: All essays must be the student’s original work whose name appears on the submission form. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
- Content Restrictions: We will not accept entries that include profane, vulgar, racist, or otherwise offensive language or any additional inappropriate or unsafe content.
- File Naming Convention: Please name your document file “CNA2026 Written Essay Entry – Your Name (Name of Educational Institution).”
Example: CNA2026 Written Essay Entry – James Campbell (University of Toronto)
Submission Guidelines for Video Essay
- Prompt Selection: You must choose only one (1) prompt for your video essay and state which prompt you are using at the beginning of your video.
- Time Limit: Your video must be a maximum of 2 minutes long and no larger than 20MB. Submissions that exceed these limits will incur point deductions.
- Entry Limit: Only one (1) original video entry is permitted per person.
- Format Recommendation: We recommend that video essays be filmed in landscape mode (horizontally).
- Original Work Requirement: Entries must be your original work. Any submission that includes third-party material, including music, without proper licensing will be disqualified. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
- Presentation Guidelines: Entrants are encouraged to wear professional attire, limit background noise, and choose a clear, uncluttered background for their videos. However, the content of your video is more important than production quality.
- Content Restrictions: We will not accept entries that contain nudity, profanity, explicit violence, drug use, politically charged messages, images of minors, or any other inappropriate or unsafe content.
- Submission Process: You can submit your application form and upload your video essay only once.
- Uploading Instructions: Please upload your video essay to YouTube and set the visibility to “unlisted” so that the CNA team can access it. Include the YouTube link in your application form.
- File Naming Instructions: Please title your video as “CNA2026 Video Essay Entry – Your Name (Name of Educational Institution).”
Example: CNA2026 Video Essay Entry – Patti Smith (University of Ottawa)
Criteria
What criteria will be used to judge submissions?
Each submission will be evaluated based on the following factors:
- Originality and Creativity: Are you stating your ideas in a completely new way? Are your ideas original, and do they stand out?
- Effectiveness in Responding to the Prompt: How well do you connect your ideas to the chosen essay prompt?
- Clarity and Concise: Is your content logically structured with a clear thought process? Can you express your ideas succinctly?
- Impact: Do you use facts, examples, and clear reasoning to support your arguments?
- Presentation: How well is the essay executed? Can you deliver your points in an engaging manner?
- Adherence to Rules: Did you happen to follow the contest rules?
- Technical Skills:
- Written Essay: Grammar, spelling, flow, and vocabulary.
- Video Essay: Communication skills and delivery.
- Wild Card: We also appreciate the passion for the industry and the future of nuclear technology, along with a bit of personality and the fundamentals of good presentation and writing skills.
Should I include or cite sources in my written essay?
Yes, you can cite sources in your written essay, and this will not count toward the word limit.
Can I include a cover page in my written essay?
No, a cover page is unnecessary in your written essay.
What is your policy on AI?
The use of generative AI tools for creating content for essay contest submissions is strictly prohibited. The CNA reserves the right to review all submissions to ensure compliance with this policy. Any application that includes content generated by generative AI will be disqualified from the contest.
What is your policy on plagiarism?
All submissions must respect the intellectual property rights of others and must not include any plagiarized material. Plagiarism occurs when someone intentionally presents the ideas, expressions, or works of others as their own. This includes reproducing or paraphrasing parts of someone else’s published or unpublished content, regardless of the source, without proper citation or reference to the original work. The CNA reserves the right to review all submissions for content that may infringe on or plagiarize the work of others and will disqualify any candidate who submits such content.
Process
Who will judge the submissions?
Both written and video essays will be evaluated by an internal CNA staff committee, with an emphasis on sound ideas and innovative responses.
After the evaluation process, the submitted applications will be categorized into three groups:
- Accepted – Students whose essays are accepted will receive complimentary access to the CNA2026 Conference & Trade Show.
- Waitlisted -Students whose essays are placed on the waitlist will only be offered a spot if an accepted applicant decides not to attend the CNA2026 Conference. Waitlisted students will be notified if a space becomes available.
- Declined – Students whose essays are declined will be notified directly. We understand your disappointment and encourage you to reapply next year.
When will winners be notified?
Winners will be notified in February 2026. For those who are not selected, there will still be an opportunity to register at a discounted student rate. Conference registration offers three student pricing options: Early Bird, Regular, and Late. We recommend registering early to take advantage of the lowest rates. To learn more, please visit the CNA2026 website.
My application was accepted, but I have a project deadline or exams during the CNA2026 Conference and Tradeshow days. What should I do?
Congratulations! The CNA can provide you with an official Letter of Academic Accommodation, which requests reasonable adjustments from your professor(s) concerning your academic commitments. It is at the discretion of your professor(s) or your academic institution to determine whether to grant the necessary accommodations to facilitate your participation in the conference. The Letter of Academic Accommodation is available only upon request.
What will happen to the winning video and written submissions?
Ownership of any submission remains with the creator. However, entering this competition grants the Canadian Nuclear Association permission to use, reproduce, transmit, post, distribute, adapt, edit, and/or display the submission without compensation or attribution.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any more questions, please email us at conference@cna.ca. Please do not call the CNA office to inquire about the status of your application or to persuade CNA staff to reconsider a rejected application. We will only respond to emails.
Student Program Sponsor
We are thrilled to announce that Aecon, one of the main sponsors of the Student Program, has generously offered support to the students accepted into this year’s program. Thanks to their sponsorship, all travel expenses, including flights, hotel accommodations, and transportation, have been fully covered. This incredible contribution ensures our students can focus on making the most of this valuable experience without any financial burden.
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